What is Local Water Done Well?
Local Water Done Well is the Government’s plan to address longstanding problems it sees with water services. This plan keeps water assets locally owned and recognises the importance of local decision making, so that communities and councils have the flexibility to choose the best way to deliver their water services.
Council proposed two options: an in-house delivery of water services with changes to meet new legislative requirements (preferred option) or a multi-council water services organisation with Mackenzie District Council and Timaru District Council.
Independent analysis forecasted that staying in-house would cost an average ratepayer $2,075 in the year 2034 while the three-council water services organisation would cost $2,225. These figures are in real dollars (not adjusted for inflation).
The above forecasted costs will be included in your rates and will not be an additional cost. The costs are averages and may differ depending on where you live, services being provided and the value of your property.
Decision
At an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 1 July 2025, Council decided to retain direct control of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services, choosing an in-house delivery model. The decision follows years of hard work, independent analysis and overwhelming community support. Public consultation received 246 submissions with over 87 percent of submitters supporting Council control of water services.
Mayor Craig Rowley says, “This is local democracy in action. At the beginning of consultation, we told the community that this is your water, and it will be your decision. We’ve kept our promise.”
He says, “Our residents and ratepayers told us that they value affordability and community influence. At the same time, they want us to continue investing in our water services for the future.”
What happens next?
The Local Water Done Well framework requires Council to submit a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September 2025 for approval. Council has started preparing this plan which will outline how our proposed water services delivery model will sustainably deliver and fund our water services while meeting the Government’s stringent regulatory and financial requirements.
We will keep you informed as we make progress.
